Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-07-23

- PSoPs9 "Ae. "Js SeSS II tuS lellOW
hates me so, what made him give me the
pass, chi What's his gamer
Jess shook her head Is she answered. 81
don't know, John; I don't like it."
II suppose he can't mean to murder me; he
did try 1t on once, you know"
"Oh, no, John" she answered, with a sort
of cry, mot that"
"Well, I don't know that it would matter
much" he said, with an approach to cheer
fulness which was rather a failure. ut would
save one a deal Of worry, and only anticipate
things a bit But there, I frightened You,
and l dare say that he is, for the present, at
any rate. an honest man. and has no inten-
tons on my person. Look! there is Mouti
calling us. I wonder If those brutes have
given him anything to eat. Well collar the
rest of this leg of mutton on chance. At any
rate, Frank Muller sha'nt starve me to
death" and with Q cheerful laugh he left the
room.
In a few minutes they were on their road
again. As they started Frank Muller came
up, took off his hat and informed them that
be would probably join them on the morrow
below Heidelberg, in which town they would
find every preparation to enable them to
spend the night comfortably. II he did not
join them it would be because he was detained
on duty. In that case the two men had his or
ders to escort them safely to Mooifontein.
and, he added significantly, II do not think
you will be troubled with any further impo-
liteness.'
In another momsnt he had galloped off on
his great black horse, leaving the pair consid-
erably mysti6ed and not a little relieved.
swell" said John, aat any rate that does
not look like foul play unless, indeed, he has
gone on to prepare q warm reception for us. !"
jess shrugged her shoulders; she could not
make it out; and then they settled themselves
down to their long and lonely drive. They
had forty odd miles to cover, but the guides,
or rather the guard, would only consent to
their outspanning once, which they did on
the open veldt a little before sunset. At sun
down they inspanned again and started across
the darkening veldt. The road was in q
shocking state, and until the moon got I'D,
which it did about 9 o'clock, the journey was
both difficult and dangerous. After that
things were a little better; and at last, about
IL o'clock, they got into Heidelberg. The
town seemed almost deserted. Evidently the
great body Of the Beers were at the front and
had only left q guard at their seat of govern.
ment.
"Where are We to outspan:' asked John Of
the Unicorn, who was jogging on alongside
apparently half asleep.
A the hotel" was the short reply, and
thither they went, and thankful enough they
were to get there, and to find, from the lights
in the windows, that the people were still up,
Standing at the inn door, holding a light
above her head, they found a pleasant look
ing Englishwonlan, who welcomed them
heartily.
Prank Muller was here three hours age
and told me to expect you" she said; sand
very glad l am to see an English face again,
can tell you. My name is Gooch. Tell me,
Is my husband all right in Pretoria! He went
up there with his wagon just before the siege
began, and l have not heard a word from him
Since"
EYES," said John, "hc is all right. He was
slightly wounded in the shoulder a month ago,
but he is quite recovered
"Oh, thank God" said the poor woman. he.
ginning to cry; "those devils told me that he
wa dead-to torment me, l suppose. Come
iNh miss; there is some hot supper ready when
you have washed your hands. The boys will
SEQ to the horses"
Accordingly they entered, and we're made
as happy as a good supper, a hearty welcome
and comfortable beds could make Deople in
their condition.
In the early morning one Of their cstimable
escort sent i'll a message to say that they were
not to start before 1890, as their horses re.
quired more rest, SO they got several hours
more in bed than they had expected, and
anybody who has ever made a journey in a
post cart in South Africa can understand
what a blessing that was. At Q they had
breakfast, and as the clock struck 1890 Mouti
brought the cart round, and with it came the
two Beers.
well, Mrs. Gooch," said John, "what do
We owe you"
Nothing, Capt. Mel, nothing. If YOU only
knew what a weight you nave taken of nv
mind! Besides, we are quite ruined; the
Beers have taken all my husbands cattle and
horses, and until last week six Of them were
quartered on me without paying a farthing.
so it makes no odds to me-"
"Never mind, Mrs. Gooch," said John.
cheerfully, "the government will compensate
you when this business is over, 10 doubt"
Mrs. Gooch shook her head prophetica,ly.
Never a farthing do l expect to see,' she
said. "1f only l can get my husband back,
and we can escape out Of this wicked place
with our lives, l shall be thankful. And
look here, Capt. Mel, l have put up a basket
full of food-bread, meat and hard boiled
eggs and a bottle of three star brandy. They
may be useful to you and the young lady be-
fore YOU get home. ! don't know where you
will sleep tonight, for the English are still
holding Standerton, so you won't be able to
stop there, and you can't get right through.
No, don't thank me, 1 could not do less.
Good by-good by, miss; I hope you will get
through all right. You had better look out.
though. Those two men you have got with
you are u very bad lot. I heard say that
that fat faced man with the tooth shot two
wounded men through the head after the
fight at Bronker's Spruit, and I know no
good of the other. They were laughing and
talking together about you in the kitchen
this morning; one Of my boys overheard
them, and the man with the long hair said
that, at any rate, they would not be troubled
with you after tonight. don't know what
be meant; perhaps they are going to change
the escort; but l thought that l had better
tell you"
John looked grave, and his suspicious re.
arose, but at that moment one of the men in
question rode up and told him that he must
start at once, and so of they went.
The second days journey was in many re-
spects u counterpart of the first. The road
was utterly deserted, and they saw neither
Boer, Englishman nor Kaffir upon it; moth
ing, indeed, except a few herds of game graz
ing OIL the ridges.